Crisis of Confidence Primary Source Analysis

Students read and analyze excerpts of President Jimmy Carter's "malaise" speech (Crisis of Confidence) from 1979 by answering 17 questions (a mix of academic and opinion) and responding to 2 creative tasks. The speech and questions are segmented to make it more manageable for students. The answers are included where appropriate and this would work for a sub!

Sample questions include:
--Inferring from prior knowledge, why was energy a topic of primary concern at this time in Carter’s presidency? 
--Do you think it was presidentially strategic, or humanistic, of Carter to bring citizens to Camp David to discuss the nation’s underlying problems, and why?
--Why did Carter make a point of telling Americans about the lack of voting participation? How does that connect to the message of his speech thus far? 
--To achieve points 1-6, how much would Carter push the bounds of the executive office’s power, if at all?
--If conservation is not a sacrifice, what is it?
--This speech is frequently referred to as Carter’s “malaise” speech. Do you think that is an appropriate term for it, why or why not?

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